Milking stall for housing an animal to be subjected to an animal-related action

ABSTRACT

A milking stall for housing an animal to be subjected to an animal-related action, comprises an enclosure (2, 3, 4, 17), defining a space (1) and having at least one passage permitting the animal to enter the space, and equipment (5, 8) for the performance of the action regarding the animal being present in the space. In order to attract the animal and make it feel comfortable, there is provided a conditioning device having an air delivery apparatus (18, 18a) adapted to produce an air flow at least to the space (1). Furthermore, it is contemplated that the supply of clean air is of importance for the function of the equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a stall for housing an animal to besubjected to an animal-related action, comprising enclosure meansdefining a space and having at least one passage permitting the animalto enter said space, and equipment for the performance of said actionregarding the animal being present in said space.

Automatic milking of cows is known from e.g. EP-A-91 892. Automaticmilking may take place in one or more automatic milking stalls providedin a barn in which the animals are allowed to walk about freely and findtheir way individually to the milking stalls. The cows are automaticallyidentified in each stall with the aid of a computer connected toidentification means. By means of the computer, in which factsconcerning each cow when she was last milked, etc. are stored, a milkingrobot is activated. The stall also comprises retaining gates which areautomatically closed to retain the cow during milking and opened to letthe cow leave the stall. Traditionally, cows are milked twice a day.Because of high labour costs it was not interesting to increase thenumber of milkings per day as long as milking was performed manually. Itis however recognized that milking a cow three to four times a day hasproved to be of less detriment to her, since the udder is not filled toits maximum between each milking. Such a milking procedure correspondsmore closely to the behaviour of the calves and therefore results inhealthier cows. As a side effect, however, it is possible to increasethe total milk production from one cow by 15-25% by increasing thenumber of milkings per day. By means of automatic milking machines it isnot only possible, but would also be economically interesting to milkthe cows more often than twice a day, since the labour costs are not anylonger critical. In this case it is rather the high investment costwhich is the limiting factor. Therefore, in order to reach a highutilization of the capacity of such automatic milking machines and inorder to reach such a high milking frequency by a reasonable number ofautomatic milking stations, it is desirable or even necessary to enablethe cow to develop a trust in the milking station and the automaticmilking machine. Only then she will voluntarily and frequently enter themilking station. In view thereof it is of course very important that shedoes not associate the milking station with anything which hurts or isdisagreeable to her.

The weekly magazine BOERDERIJ No. 15 from Jan. 12, 1988 describes atransportable container accommodating an automatic milking system formilking an animal. Because the container can be closed completely,climate control is necessary for keeping the automatic milking systemfrostfree.

However, the cows and other animals also must be subjected to otheranimal-related actions than milking, for example medical treatment, teatand body cleaning, insemination, automatic feed supply, etc. Also inthese cases it is important that the place where such animal-relatedactions are performed is not associated with disagreeable experiences.It is believed that the performance of such animal-related actions iseasier and thus more effective when the animal feels comfortable andsafe.

Another problem is that the atmosphere in a barn housing many animalswalking about freely is of poor quality. Such an atmosphere may containmany problematic substances, such as ammonium, chlorine, and othercorrosive and aggressive gases, moisture, etc. Such substances mayreduce the reliability of the sophisticated mechanical and electronicequipment necessary for the performance of a more or less automaticmilking procedure. Moreover, they may deteriorate the quality of themilk and influence the health and the comfort of the animals negatively.Moreover, the temperature in such a barn housing many animals is in manycases too high, which is uncomfortable for the animals and maydeteriorate the quality of the milk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to overcome the problemsmentioned above and provide an improved apparatus for housing an animalto be subjected to an animal-related action. Moreover, the apparatusshould offer the animal a place which is attractive and comfortable tothe animal, in order to facilitate the performance of said action.

This object is obtained by the apparatus initially defined, which ischaracterized in that a conditioning device having air delivery meansadapted to produce an air flow at least to said space. By means of sucha conditioning device it is possible to provide a climate in said spacewhich is comfortable to the animal and thus may attract it to enter saidspace. Moreover, the animal being present in said space will behave in amore calm and confident manner, thereby facilitating the performance ofsaid action. An animal feeling safe may stay still during for examplethe attachment of the teatcups by means of an automatic handling device,which might be a precondition for the success of such attachment.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the equipment comprises anelectronic control device provided to control the performance of saidaction and the conditioning device may comprise conduit means providedto supply an air flow to said control device. Preferably, the electroniccontrol device comprises a housing and the conditioning device isadapted to supply air into said housing and to produce a pressuretherein which is higher than the pressure outside the housing. Thereby,the surrounding atmosphere is effectively prevented from reachingsensitive electronic components within the control device.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the air delivery meansis adapted to provide a region of essentially clean air in said space.Thereby, it is possible to improve the quality of the atmosphere in thetreatment space. This may be very important for the equipment, such as amilking machine, and in case of milking for the quality of the milk. ofcourse, a good atmosphere is also positive to the health and comfort ofthe animal. Preferably, the conditioning device may comprise conduitmeans connecting the air delivery means with the ambient outsideatmosphere and adapted to provide fresh air to the air delivery meansand said space.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the air delivery meanscomprises air outlet means adapted to direct the air flow towards aregion of said space where the animal is to be present. It is believedthat such a direct air flow, e.g. in the form of a smooth stream of air,directed towards the animal is experienced as particularly comfortableto the animal.

According to another embodiment of the invention, the conditioningdevice comprises temperature regulating means adapted to regulate thetemperature of the air delivered to a level being comfortable for theanimal. Moreover, the conditioning device may comprise humidityregulating means adapted to regulate the humidity of the air deliveredto a level being comfortable for the animal. Furthermore, the stall maycomprise a fresh water supply provided in said space and theconditioning device may comprise a temperature regulating deviceprovided to regulate the temperature of said fresh water supplied. Thus,the drinking water for the animal may have an appropriate temperature.

According to another embodiment of the invention the enclosure means isadapted to prevent an inward gas flow of the atmosphere outside saidspace. In this manner, the problematic substances mentioned above may bekept outside said space and thus the equipment may be protected.Thereby, said enclosure means may comprise air outlet means adapted toform an air curtain preventing an inward gas flow of the atmosphereoutside said space. Moreover, said enclosure means may comprise airinlet means provided essentially opposite to said air outlet means ofsaid enclosure means and adapted to receive at least a part of the airfrom said air outlet means. Furthermore, said enclosure means maycomprise wall means adapted to prevent an inward gas flow of theatmosphere outside said space. In this manner, any inward gas flow of apoor quality atmosphere may be prevented effectively.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, the equipment maycomprise an automatic handling device for the performance of said actionby manipulating animal-related means. Such automatic handling devicesmay comprise many different parts and elements being sensitive to acorrosive and aggressive atmosphere. Therefore, the provision of thefresh air zone around the equipment and said animal-related means mayimprove the reliability thereof. Furthermore, the animal-related meansmay comprise at least one teatcup to be attached by said automatichandling device to a teat of the animal being present in the stall.Preferably, the air delivery means may comprise air outlet meansdisposed in the proximity of the teatcups at least during said teatcupattachment. Thereby, the surrounding atmosphere is effectively preventedfrom reaching the milk.

According to another embodiment of the invention, said enclosure meanscomprises a transportable container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will now be explained more closely by thedescription of different embodiments thereof and with reference to thedrawings.

FIG. 1 shows a side view of a first embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a second embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the invention.

FIG. 3 shows a side view of a third embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the invention.

FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the apparatusaccording to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DIFFERENT EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 schematically shows a stall according to a first embodiment ofthe invention. The stall comprises a milking stall 1 for housing a cowto be milked, which may be provided in a barn (not shown) housing manyanimals walking about freely. The milking stall 1 comprises enclosuremeans, which in the first embodiment comprises a front wall 2 and sidegrids 3, schematically indicated. Any one of the side grids 3 maycomprises an exit gate (not shown) and the rear wall comprises an inletgate (not shown). Furthermore, the milking stall 1 comprises a ceilingwall 4 provided on top of it. In connection to the milking stall 1,there is provided a milking machine represented by a receptaclecontainer 5, a milk conduit 6 and a teatcup 7 to be attached to a teatof a cow being present in the milking stall 1. For said attachment,there is provided an automatic handling device 8 having a robot arm 9and an electronic control device 10. By means of the control device 10,the robot arm 9 may be controlled to grip the teatcup 7 and attach it toa teat of the cow. The electronic control device 10 is comprised in ahousing, schematically disclosed as a box 10. At the front end of themilking stall 1, there is provided a water supply 11 offering water tothe animal being present in the milking stall 1.

In order to provide a comfortable and pleasant atmosphere in the milkingstall 1, there is provided a conditioning device having air deliverymeans to produce an air flow to the milking stall. The air deliverymeans comprises an air pump 12 having an inlet conduit 13 connected tothe ambient atmosphere outside the barn. The outlet side of the air pump12 is connected to a humidity regulating device 14 and a temperatureregulating device 15. From there, the air is delivered to different airoutlet means by a suitable conduit system 16. First air outlet means 17are provided on each side of the milking stall 1 to provide an aircurtain defining a respective side surface and thereby preventing a gasflow into the milking stall 1 from the barn. Such an air curtain isadvantageous since it does not make the cow feel confined in the milkingstall 1. Second air outlet means 18 are provided on each side of themilking stall 1 to provide an air flow in the form of a smooth airstream directed towards the cow being present in the milking stall 1.Such an air stream is comfortable to the cow and therefore she will berelaxed and stand still in the milking stall, thereby facilitating theattachment of the teatcups 7. Moreover, such an air stream may activatethe production of oxytoxin being important to the milk stimulationreflex and the let down of milk. Although the second air outlet means 18are provided along a horizontal line on each side in the firstembodiment, such air outlet means may be provided in many differentpositions. For example, there may be provided second air outlet means18a in the lower region of the milking stall 1, which may be adapted toprovide a smooth air stream towards the cow and a zone of fresh air inthe proximity of the teatcups 7. Thereby, the air, which may be suckedinto the milking system of the milking machine at least during theattachment of the teatcups 7 to the teats, will be of a good quality. Inorder to improve the air quality of the air delivered and thus toprovide a flow of clean air, the conduit 13 may comprise a filterindicated at 19. Moreover, the conditioning device comprises atemperature regulating device 20 provided in the water supply 11,preferably in the form of a heating device. Thereby, the fresh water maybe supplied with an appropriate temperature, preferably between about 15and 20° C., for example 17° C. Furthermore, the conditioning devicecomprises a conduit 21 connected to the conduit system 16 and the box 10of the electronic control device. Thereby, conditioning air may besupplied to the box 10, preferably to obtain a slight overpressuretherein, to provide an atmosphere within the box 10 which is dry andclean and within a desired temperature range, thereby securing areliable function of the electronic control device. Alternatively, theelectronic control device may be accommodated within the enclosuremeans.

In order to be able to control the climate in the milking stall 1, thereis provided a control unit 22 which is connected to two sensor 23provided in the milking stall 1.

It should be noted that more or less sensors 23 than two may beprovided. The sensors 23 may be adapted to sense the temperature and thehumidity within the milking stall 1 and by means of the control unit 22the temperature and the humidity of the air delivered may be controlledto be adapted to the seasons and to the comfort of the animal. Thus, thetemperature regulating device 15 must be capable of both cooling andheating the air delivered. In the same manner, the humidity regulatingdevice 14 must be capable of both drying and humidifying the airdelivered.

The inlet side of the milking stall 1 according to the first embodimentdoes not comprise any means hindering an inward gas flow. Therefore, itis important that the capacity of the air pump 12 is such that a slightoverpressure may be provided within the milking stall 1 and in thismanner no ambient atmosphere from the barn will enter the milking stall1.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. It should benoted that elements of the apparatus according to the invention having acorresponding function are provided with the same reference signs in thedifferent embodiments disclosed. The milking stall 1 disclosed in FIG. 2is slightly modified in comparison with the milking stall 1 of FIG. 1.Thus, an inlet gate 3a and an exit gate 3b are provided at one side ofthe milking stall 1. The front wall 2a and a rear wall 2b enclose theinterior of the milking stall 1 together with air curtains provided bymeans of first air outlet means 17 and air inlet means 24 provided inthe floor essentially opposite to the air outlet means 17 and adapted toreceive at least a part of the air from the outlet means 17 in order toimprove the functioning of the air curtain. It should be noted that FIG.2 merely shows the structure of the enclosure means; the conditioningdevice and the equipment have been left out in order to facilitate theunderstanding of the figure.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The milkingstall 1 is enclosed by a ceiling wall 4, side walls 3 and partlycovering front and rear walls 2b (the front wall not disclosed). Thus,the front wall and the rear wall 2b may have an opening comprising afront exit gate (not shown) and a rear entrance gate 25, respectively,of the milking stall 1. In order to provide an essentially completelyenclosed atmosphere within the milking stall 1, air curtains may beprovided just outside the front exit gate and the rear entrance gate 25,respectively. To this end, the conditioning device comprises third airoutlet means 26 comprising a vertical channel on one side of theentrance gate 25 and the exit gate, respectively, and air inlet means 27comprising a vertical channel on the other side of the entrance gate 25and the exit gate, respectively. Thus, at least a part of the air fromthe outlet means 26 is sucked through the inlet means 27 by means of afurther air pump 12a to an outlet. Alternatively, the air entering theair inlet means 27 may be recirculated to the conduit 13 by means of theair pump 12. Moreover, the conditioning device may comprise a fourthoutlet means 28 for the supply of fresh air to the interior of themilking stall 1, preferably such that a slight overpressure is providedwithin the milking stall 1. The walls 2b, 3 and 4 are defining an spaceor a space enclosing the milking stall 1, the milking machine 5, theautomatic handling device 8 and the automatic control device. Thus, allparts of the milking stall 1 and all equipment therein may beeffectively protected against the ambient barn atmosphere. It should benoted that the walls 2a, 2b, 3 and 4 disclosed in the differentembodiments may be made of a transparent material.

FIG. 4 shows a fourth embodiment of the present invention. The milkingstall 1 and all equipment, such as the automatic handling device 8, theelectronic control device , the conditioning device, is enclosed in theenclosure means in the form of a transportable container 29. Theconditioning device as disclosed comprises the air pump 12, thetemperature regulating device 15, the humidity regulating device 14, anda number of air outlet means, exemplified at 30 and 31. Thetransportable container 29, which is of a standard size, may be liftableto and transportable on a wagon, or provided with wheels (not shown) inorder to be towed.

The present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed hereinbut may be modified within the scope of the following claims. Althoughthe present invention has been explained in connection with a milkingstall it should be understood that the inventive idea also may beapplied to other animal-related actions, such as medical treatment, teator body cleaning, insemination, automatic feed supply, etc. Thereby, theequipment also may comprise other animal-related means than teatcups,such as teat cleaning means, brush means, inspection means, tools formedical treatment or insemination. It should be pointed out that theseanimal-related means are to be manipulated by the automatic handlingdevice 8. Moreover, although a space or a milking stall have beendescribed for one single animal, it should be understood that the stallalso may include more than one animal simultaneously. It should also benoted that the different components disclosed in the first , the secondand the third embodiment may be combined with each other in othercombinations than those disclosed.

What is claimed is:
 1. A milking stall for housing an animal to besubjected to an animal related action, comprising:enclosure meansdefining a space, having at least one passage permitting the animal toenter said space, and adapted to prevent an inward gas flow of theatmosphere outside said space and equipment including an automatichandling device for the performance of said action by manipulating atleast one teatcup to be attached by said automatic handling device to ateat of the animal being present in the space; and a conditioning devicehaving air delivery means adapted to produce an air flow at least tosaid space.
 2. A stall according to claim 1, wherein the equipmentcomprises an electronic control device provided to control theperformance of said action and that the conditioning device comprisesconduit means provided to supply an air flow to said control device. 3.A stall according to claim 2, wherein the electronic control devicecomprises a housing and that the conditioning device furthermore isadapted to supply air into said housing and to produce a pressuretherein which is higher than the pressure outside the housing.
 4. Astall according to any one of claims 1, wherein the air delivery meansis adapted to provide a region of essentially clean air in said space.5. A stall according to claim 1, wherein the conditioning devicecomprises conduit means connecting the air delivery means with theambient outside atmosphere and adapted to provide fresh air to the airdelivery means and said space.
 6. A stall according to claim 1, whereinthe air delivery means comprises air outlet means adapted to direct theair flow towards a region of said space where the animal is to bepresent.
 7. A stall according to claim 1, wherein the conditioningdevice comprises temperature regulating means adapted to regulate thetemperature of the air delivered to a level being comfortable for theanimal.
 8. A stall according to claim 1, wherein the conditioning devicecomprises humidity regulating means adapted to regulate the humidity ofthe air delivered to a level being comfortable for the animal.
 9. Astall according to claim 1, wherein the stall comprises a fresh watersupply provided in said space and that the conditioning device comprisesa temperature regulating device provided to regulate the temperature ofsaid fresh water supplied.
 10. A stall according to claim 1, whereinsaid enclosure means comprises air outlet means directed to form an aircurtain preventing an inward gas flow of atmosphere outside said space.11. A stall according to claim 10, wherein said enclosure meanscomprises air inlet means provided essentially opposite to said airoutlet means of said enclosure means and adapted to receive at least apart of the air from said air outlet means.
 12. A stall according toclaim 1, wherein said enclosure means comprises wall means adapted toprevent an inward gas flow of the atmosphere outside said space.
 13. Astall according to claim 1, wherein air delivery means comprises airoutlet means disposed in the proximity of the teatcup at least duringsaid teatcup attachment.
 14. A stall according to claim 1, wherein saidenclosure means comprises a transponder container.